Inua Jamii Stipends Shift to Mobile Money as Government Enhances Transparency and Access

The government has streamlined the disbursement of Inua Jamii Programme stipends by adopting mobile money as the primary mode of payment.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that President William Ruto directed this transition to enhance efficiency and curb fraudulent practices that had plagued the bank-based disbursement system.

“With mobile money, beneficiaries no longer need to travel long distances to access their stipends. All they require is a mobile-money-enabled SIM card, which allows them to receive the Kshs. 2,000 monthly stipend directly,” Mwaura stated.

This move benefits approximately 1.7 million vulnerable Kenyans, including elderly citizens above 70 years, severely disabled persons, and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). Since the January 2025 payments began on February 11, over 1.4 million beneficiaries have already accessed their funds through mobile transfers.

Acknowledging that some beneficiaries may not own mobile phones, the government has assured them that they only need a SIM card and an identification card to withdraw funds from a mobile money agent.

To facilitate this transition, Safaricom has simplified SIM card registration for this demographic, ensuring inclusivity.

Additionally, beneficiaries can access services through the e-Citizen platform by dialing 2223# and following simple prompts in English or Kiswahili.By leveraging mobile money, the government aims to cut down on travel expenses for beneficiaries, ensuring they retain a significant portion of their stipends for their basic needs.

This is part of the broader plan to enhance social welfare, with the total annual disbursement set to rise from Kshs. 3.52 billion to Kshs. 15 billion by June 2027.

The ongoing registration drive is also expected to expand the number of beneficiaries from 1.7 million to 2.5 million over the next three years.

“The government has always prioritized timely disbursement of these funds, often ahead of civil servant salaries, to ensure beneficiaries can meet their daily needs without delays,” Mwaura affirmed.

Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem is well-positioned to support this shift, with over 34 million M-Pesa users and more than 381,116 mobile money agents nationwide, including in rural areas.

Kenya’s Tourism Sector Thrives with Record Growth in 2024

Kenya’s tourism industry recorded remarkable growth in 2024, with the country welcoming 7.5 million tourists both international and domestic marking a 14.6 percent increase from 2023’s 2 million visitors.

The domestic tourism sector also experienced a boom, with bed occupancy rising by 12 percent to 5.1 million. This figure excludes unregistered accommodations and homestays, which are estimated to account for an additional 10 Percent of bed occupancy. Combined, total bed occupancy grew by 16 percent from 8.6 million in 2023 to 10 million in 2024.

Inbound tourism earnings surged to Kshs. 452.20 billion, reflecting a 19.79percent increase compared to 2023. The United States remained Kenya’s largest source market, accounting for 12.8 percent of arrivals, followed by Uganda (9.42 percent), Tanzania (8.49percent), and the United Kingdom (7.5percent).

Other key markets included India (5.5percent), Italy (3.8percent), China (3.8percent), and Germany (3.7percent).Holiday and leisure remained the top reasons for visiting Kenya in 2024, accounting for 44.2percent of total arrivals. Business and conferences contributed 26.9 percent while visits to friends and relatives made up 22 percent.

Looking ahead, Kenya aims to receive 3 million international tourists in 2025, supported by ongoing investments in the sector. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), which handled 67.8 percent of inbound tourists in 2024, has doubled its immigration booths, increased personnel, and introduced e-Gates to enhance passenger processing efficiency.

The sector’s continued recovery and growth reflect the government’s commitment to positioning Kenya as a premier global travel destination under President Ruto’s leadership.